LAGOS: Amaechi wants attackers of NPA H/Q prosecuted

THE Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi has called for the arrest and prosecution of those behind the attack on the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA)’s headquarters in Lagos.

Amaechi, noted that prosecuting the perpetrators of the dastardly act would serve as deterrents to those who take delight in wilful and wanton destruction of public facilities by taking advantage of an outbreak of crisis or agitation.

He said this after the inspection of NPA headquarters attacked during the crisis that ensued in the wake of Lekki shooting when hoodlum hijacked the initially peaceful EndSARS protest.

The NPA headquarters was part of the properties attacked by hoodlums in Lagos in the aftermath of the #EndSARS protests.

“We toured the H/Q today & it wasn’t a good sight. If people are arrested for the crime perpetrated, they will not do it again. We have to go after the hoodlums & ensure they pay,” the former Rivers State governor said during a tour of the facility on Sunday.

While he admitted that protests are legitimate, Amaechi condemned those who hide under the guise of demonstrations to destroy public and private properties.

“The right to protest is defined in the laws of the land, it doesn’t include burning people’s private houses and public assets that belong to every Nigerian,” he added.

He described the damage as disastrous, recalling that he had been part of protests as a student but explained that they did not take the laws into their own hands during those demonstrations.

“If you remember in 1983, during the time of Babangida and Buhari, we were always on the streets as students, we never took laws into our hands and we never destroyed people’s property,” the minister said.

He said with the level of destruction, NPA should come to the cabinet and ask for funds for the reconstruction of the place.